36 startup logos that innovate and inspire

A technology company logo has to convey your brand; not just what you make now, but what the future holds for your business. You might make a dating app today, a foodie app tomorrow and a mobile game after that. Your startup’s logo has to encompass all of your ambitions and philosophy.

A product logo, on the other hand, must be more specific. It has to be focused on what the product can do for the customer. The logo needs to make it 100% clear what the technology does for users and why they should download/buy/signup for it, like, now.

It’s also worth considering the trends and clichés in the technology industry (and your specific niche of it). And those are not the same thing. For example, flat logotype is trendy now; a skeuomorphic design might make you look dated (though it’s starting to make a comeback). On the other hand, every other education/tutoring website uses an owl wearing a mortarboard. That was old fifty years ago. Cliché.

Lastly, text or no text? They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand words is a lot to google if someone sees your logo on a poster. Including the name of your company or product makes it easier for people to find you on the web. Which, you know, is probably important for a startup.

If your brand is “friendly and approachable,” the most straightforward way to reflect this is with a smiling face. It’s universally pleasing to the eye. The trick is to not make the face too specific; the more gender/race/whatever non-specific you can make it, the more your users will see themselves in it. Perhaps ironically, an anthropomorphic animal will help in this regard. Who doesn’t like a smiling doggy?

If faces aren’t your thing, just bear in mind that curved lines, bubbly shapes, and literal openness in your logo will help draw people in and feel comfortable with your product.

I bet you feel pretty smart, starting your own company. And why not show the whole world how clever you really are?

A logo with some wit can make your customers feel like your company has a personality. You’re a fun company, and your product is probably fun, too. You can do with a play on words (so long as it’s not a lame pun), or just an unexpected combination of imagery.

Your brand isn’t about “personality” or entertainment; your brand is about Getting the Job Done. You want to show that your product works well, and your customers can count on you to deliver.

An anthropomorphic logo can embody that with just the posture. Straight back, legs firmly planted on the ground: your logo looks ready to work. A more abstract logo can still evoke this feeling. Solid lines, sharp angles, generally focused upwards all give the sensation of steadiness.

The vanguard of technology is always marching forward. What we think of as “high tech” now will seem dated in the blink of an eye. So if you want your logo to feel “advanced,” be prepared to stay on top of the trends. You may need to tweak your startup’s logo every few years to stay relevant.

The paste few years, the trend has been towards minimalism. Thin lines, and the only the essential details required to convey the concept. Flat art, rather than skeuomorphic. Motion is also quite popular, angling those thin lines forward (which, in the English-speaking world, means left-to-right).

Start up your technology logo today
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Your startup’s logo is going to follow you around across multiple platforms, from launch icons to company letterhead. You better get used to looking at it. Make sure you’re happy with it. Not just in terms of the message it conveys to your customer; it should also match your company’s aesthetic. This is your app, your technology, your company, after all.

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The author

Matthew T. Price has written on art, design, and cinema for websites such as The Daily Trojan, The Horror Honeys, Work in Entertainment, and more. He's also a filmmaker, having shot over two dozen short films, and a feature film, Other Halves. His work can be found at www.LittleToyBoat.com.